Automatic train-pipe connector.



I. V. ROBINSON.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25. I913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I an ue vrIoz GII'OZVWU Patented Nov. 6, I917.

I. V. ROBINSON.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25. I9I3.

Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. V. ROBINSON.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTOR.

APPLICAHON FILED JULY 25.1913.

Patented Nov. 6, 1917'.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

J. V. ROBINSON,

AUHHVIAHC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTOR.

API'LICAHON FILH) JULY 25. 1913.

Pat med Nm'. 6, 19W

'4 SHLLTS SHELI -'v WWI W339.)

JOSEEH V. ROBINSON, OF CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND.

AUTOTIC TRAIN-PIPE comvzac'ron.

matic Train-Pipe Connectors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic train pipe connectors and aims to improve certain features of the train pipe connectors described in my earlier applica tions.

One of the objects of the invention is to so support the coupler head and body on its base or supporting bracket that there will be little or no resistance to a free universal movement of the head when connecting to a mating head. The free vertical or lateral movement of the coupling heads when coupled will afford a perfect connection be: tween the heads and keep them from opening when the cars are rounding a curve or when the couplers are mounted at different heights.

Other objects and the novel features of the invention will be apparent from the fol lowing description, taken in connection with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the connector;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same;

Fig. 3 is .a horizontal longitudinal sec tion of the same, the parts on a mating connector being shown in plan;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the connector;

Fig, 5 is a rear elevation of the same.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates a hanger or part which is permanently-connected to the car coupler or some other rigid part of the car. A bracket or base 11 is bolted to the part 10 and comprises two similar halves which when bolted to the hanger 10 form a loose fitting collar surroundin the body of the connector, 12 designating the opening in the base 11 through which the body of the connector extends. The rear face of the base 11 is flat and forms a bearing or abutment for flanges or projections 13, 14, cast integral with the connector body. The bod of the connector comprises a casting ma e up of two similar slotted members 15 and l6which are cast integral with the plate comprising the oppositely disposed pro ectio s 13 an Specification of Letters Patent. v Application filed Jul 25, 1913. Serial No. 781,194.

r l Patented Nov. 6,

14;, which constitute a partial flange at the rear of the body. It will be noted that the upper flange 13 is longer than ,the lower one. Thls is in order to render the resistance of the supports in the vertical plane uniform when one car is higher than the adjacent one. Ordinarily, in coupling" under vertical dis-- alinement, the higher connector is required to lift the lower one and the wei ht of the head of the higher connector ten s to force it downward, whereas the weight of the head on the lower connector tends to hold it down. This causes the higher connector to dro more than the lower one raises when coupllng under these conditions, and consequently the heads jam or cramp. To over come this objectionable operation, the upper lower one, so that the higher connector is stifiened in moving downwardly in the vertical plane sufficiently to equal the resistance of the lower connector in moving upwardly in the vertical plane. A similar result may be obtained by tilting the bottom of the base forward so as to raise the head above the horizontal line. At their forward end the members 15 and.16 are cast integral with a hub 17 which has holes drilled in diametrically opposite sides thereof to receive a pin 18. The pin 18 passing through the holes in the hub 17 is for the purpose of attaching the connector head to the body, the connector head having a shank 19 fitting into the hub 17 and being provided'with holes to receive the pin 18. This arrangement produces a construction in which the head and shank may be readily removed from the hub. The head of the connector comprises a fitting 20 to which the shank 19 is integrally connected, the forward end of the fitting 2O havin a port opening 21 therein which is provi ed with suitable gaskets and into which the pipe 22 of the fitting opens. The pipe 22 leads out-Etc the side of the fitting, being cast integral therewith and provided with threads at its-,end to attach other fittings, pipes or hose connections to lead air or steam from the train line to the port 21.

To bring the corresponding ports of two mating connector heads into register, gatheri' means are mounted at the forward end i of the fitting or head 20. In the present instance, I have disclosed the pin and funnel type ,of "gathering device, but it is to be understood that the head or fitting 20 may lso be equipped with other forms of gathering devices. A pin 242 and funnel 25 are supported on the extension 23 and on opposite sides of the port 21. The pin and funnel device comprises two separate castings, pin 24 being formed with two cars 26 at its inner end while the funnel is also a separate casting and formed with two cars 2? at opposits sides of its inner end, the two castings having cooperating recesses on their abutting faces and between the ears sothat when the castings are secured. together at the ears, the recesses form a circular opening to receive and clamp the end 23 of the fitting 20. There is also a groove formed at the interior of the circular opening to receive the head 23 on the fitting 26, whereby the gathering pin and funnel member are secured to the forward end of the connector in a convenient mannerand a gathering device is provided which may be readily removed and parts replaced if one or the other of the members comprising the same breaks or is worn out. The pins 23", each of unequal diameters, fit into corresponding holes in the gathering pin and funnel member and or ven in rrec as em or 1., r

c t co t s bl tle c latte parts on the end 23 of the fitting 20.

The pin 2-6: comprises a curved arm substantially L-shaped as shown in Fig. 3 and is provided with a head 28 at its outer end to fit a recess 29 at the apex of the funnel 25. On the side of the pin 24 nearest the connector body and extending from the head 28 and to the base of the pin, there is a reinforcing web 30 which is adapted to register with and'fit a corresponding groove 31 extending longitudinally of the inclined wall of the funnel 25 and located between the recess 29 and the port opening 21. Ordinarily in the gathering device the strains are local, being confined to regions where the head of the pin 28 engages the recess 29 of the funnel. By providing one member with a long groove and the coiiperating member on the mating head with a long rib to fit the groove, localization of strains at the interlocking sections of the pin and funnel are avoided and any strains tending to produce angular movement between the heads are distributed through the full length of the interlock formed by the web and groove, thereby preventing damage to the pin where the same interlocks with the apex of the funnel.

The body of the connector formed by the similar parts 15 and 16 cast integral with the hub 17 is provided with slots 33 and 34. The members 15 and 16 are curved transversely, the oppositely disposed slots 33 and 34 which are left between the said members extend from the forward edge of the hub to the forward faces of the projections 13 and 14. Each of the members 15' and 16 has a slot 35 therein which starts at the rear edge of the hub and tapers rearwardly of the body sligh ly nd the partial flange formed by the projections 13 and 14. The members 15 and 16 oined one end by the hub 17 and at the opposite end by the flanged neck 36, form a hollow body for the connector.

The rear end of the body of the connector beyond the flange fo ed by the projections 13 and 14 is provided with a neck 36 and where the neck joins projections 13 and 14 there is an annuh seat 37 for the base end of a conical spring 38, which is coiled of a tapered bar. The spring tapers rearwardly and the bar comprising the same is of smaller diameter at its rear end where it bears against a shoulder 39 on an adjustable nut 4-0. The nut 40 is internally threaded to receive the threads 41 on the outer end of a rod 12 which at its forward end has a longitudinal flattened part 43. The flattened part 43 has a transverse oblong opening d4: extending therethrough, the opening 4% having a curved rear wall to form a seat to fit a curved bearing face on the flattened section l5 located intermediate the ends 46 of a pivot bar +7. The ends 46 of the pivot bar are bent out of line with the section 45 and are rounded on their rear faces to fit hearings 4:8 in the base 11 on diametrically opposite sides of the opening 12 therein. One of said bearings is formed in each of the halves comprising the base 11. llt will be noted that the base of the spring 38 will tend to press forwardly against the flange on the rear end of the body whereas the apex or opposite end of the spring tendsto force the bolt 42 rearwardly. As the bolt 42 is located in the axis of the spring and body and is pivotally anchored in the base 11, the spring when properly adjusted will normally hold the flange against its abutthe limit of its forward movement in a comparatively rigid and'normally horizontal position but so as to permit a vertical and lateral movement in all directions when the head engages a mating conncctor.

The connector may be assembled by passing the body or stem of the same through the opening 12. its forward movement being limited by the flange formed by the projections 13 and 14. The opening12 flares at its forward end so as to allow limited sidewisc movement of the connector. The head end of the rod 42 is passed through the neck 36 and the yoke or pivot bar is then inserted from either side through the larger end of the tapering slot 35 in the body until the flat section 4-5 thereof fits the oblong opening 3% whereupon the rod 42 is drawn rearw rdly and adjusted so that the ends 46 of the pivot bar 47 will fit in the bearings 48. The conical spring is then passed around the rod l2 and the nut 4:0 is fitted on the mcnt and thus sustain the connector at r rod 42 to suitably tension the spring and form an abutment for its outer end. The resistance of the spring and its normal compression are determined by the weight of the connector head, plus an additional resistance sufficient to prevent undue swinging of an uncoupled head in running.

It will be observed that by drawing up on the nut 40 the resistance of the sprin against the body of the connector is varied and the movementof the connector head from its normal position is proportionately resisted but the body and head are normally supported in a substantially horizontal position. The nut 40 is locked against rear ward movement from the adjusted position by a pin 50 which passes through a slot 51 in the threaded end of the rod 42.

The operation of the connector will be' clear from the foregoing description. IV hen two cars equipped with the connector aremoved into engagement the pin and funnel gathering devices on the train pipe connectors will guide the ports of the connector heads into register as is well known and any tendency for the connectors to part will be prevented by means of the rib on the pin which engages the groove in the funnel. The connector is so supported that it may be freely moved in any direction so as to bring the ports therein into register with the ports of opposing connectors and may be readily assembled and adjusted to suit va ryin conditions of service.

It will be clear that various changes may be made in the construction without departing from the spirit of the invention, and therefore I do not wish to be limited to the exact details as shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is: 1

1. In an automatic train pipe coupling, the combination of a coupling head, a base, a member passing through the base and carrying at one end a laterally diverging fluid conduit which extends through said head, a projection near the other end of said member. and means for normally maintaining said projection in engagement with said base to yieldingly support said coupling head.

2. In an automatic train pipe connector, the combination of a base, a connector body extending through the base and provided at one side thereof with an exterior annular flange. a head attached to the body on the opposite side of the base,'and means for yieldingly sustaining the connector head and body comprising a member pivotally mounted on the base outside of the connector body and extending rearwardly thereof, and a spring attached to the rear end of said member and bearing against said flange on the connector body.

3. In an automatic train pipe connector the combination of a base having an opening therethrough, a connector head and body, said body extending through the opening and having an enlargement at the rear side of said opening, said enlargement forming ashoulder to abut against the base, means for maintaining the said shoulder in its abutting relation, said means comprising a bar extending across said opening and pivoted in the base, a stem extending rearwardly from said bar, and a spring confined between the rear end of said stem and the said enlargement on the body.

4. In an automatic train pipe connector, the combination of a base having an open ing therethrough, a body having a shoulder abutting against the rear face of said base, and means tending to hold the shoulder in abutting relation with saidrear face of the base, said means comprising a bar pivoted on the base, a stem connected to the bar, and a spring confined between the free end of said stem and the shouldered part of said body.

5. In an automatic train pipe connector, the combination of a base having an opening extending therethrough, a hollow body having slots on opposite sides thereof, said body extending through said opening in the base and having a shoulder abutting against the rear face of said base, a bar extending 95 through oppositely arranged slots in the said body and mounted in bearings in said base,

a stem connected to said bar and extending rearwardly of the base, and a spring confined between the rear end of the stem and 100 the shouldered part of the body.

6. In an automatic train pipe connector, the combination of a base havingan opening extending therethrough, a hollow body having slots at opposite sides thereof, said 105 body extending through the opening in said I base and being provided with a shoulder near its rear end which abuts against the rear face of said base, and means for sus taining said shoulder in its abutting relation, and thereby maintaining said connector body and head in a predetermined position, said means comprising a yoke having the ends thereof extending through said slots in the body and supported in hearings in said base, a stem extending rearwardly from said yoke and having an opening through which said yoke extends, a conical spring confined between the rear end of said-stem and the shouldered part of said body and having its base bearing on said body.

7. In an automatic train pipe conneetor, the combination of a base having an opening extending therethrough, a hollow body having slots on the opposite sides thereof, a hub at the forward end of the body, said body extending through said opening and having a shoulder near its rear end Which is adapted to abut against the rear face of said base,

a connector head secured -to the hub on said body, and means for maintaining the shoulder on said body in abutting relation with the base, said means comprising a yoke having the ends thereof extending through said slots in the body and pivoted in bearings in the base, a bolt having an opening in the head end thereof through which said yoke extends, a nut at the other end of said bolt, a conical spring confined between said nut and the shouldered end of said body, substantially as described.

8. In an automatic train pipe connector, the combination with a base, of a connector body extending through the base and having a radially extending portion adapted to bear against the rear face of the base, a spring acting to hold the connector body in engagement with the base, and a coupling head having a conduit that extends through the forward face and a side thereof and provided in rear of said conduit with a shank that extends into a socket at the forward end of the connector body.

9. In an automatic train pipe connector, the combination with a base, of a connector body extending through the base and provided with a surface adapted to contact with the base to limit movement of the body through the base in one direction, a spring acting to maintain said surface in contact with the base, a stem extending through the spring and provided with an abutment for one end thereof, and a bar connected to said stem and extending through the body into seats provided therefor in the base, for the purpose described.

10. In an automatic train pipe coupling, the combination of a coupling head, a base provided with an opening, a member extending rearwardly through said opening and providedwith a projection, a spring acting against the member and tending normally to hold the projection against said base, a pivot device extending across the opening in the base and movably mounted in the walls of the latter, and a stem pivotally connected to said pivot device and extending rearwardly through said spring for maintaining the spring in position under compression.

11. In an automatic train pipe coupling, the combination of a coupling head, a base provided in its wall with a bearing, a member extending rearwardly from the head through the base and having in rear of the latter a projection, a pivot device extending from within the member into said bearing in which it is adapted to oscillate, a stem pivotally connected to said pivot device, a spring surrounding the stem and abutting said member, and means on the stem for maintaining said spring in posimeager.

tion to force said projection against said base.

12. In an automatic train pipe coupling,

the combination of a coupling head, a base,

a member extending from the. head rearwardly through the base and provided in its side with an elongated slot, a projection on said member having an annular seat, a pivot device extending from within the member through said slot into engagement with the wall of the base for movement relative to the latter, a stem connected with said pivot device, a spring mounted in said seat and surrounding said stem, and means on the stem for holding said spring in position to force the projection against said base and for varying the pressure of said spring against the base.

13. In an automatic train pipe coupling, the combination of a coupling head, a member extending from said head, a two-piece base secured about said member, one piece of the base being provided with a bearing, a pivot device extending from said member into said bearing, a stem connected to said pivot device, and a spring confined between the rear end of said stem and said member Efor projecting the latter forwardly of said ase.

14. In an automatic train pipe coupling, the combination of a coupling head, a base, a member extending from said head through said base and provided with a. projection, a spring acting upon said member to hold said projection against said base, a pivot device mounted in said base and having also a seat, a stem provided with a head havingan integral cylindrical portion mounted in said seat, and means on said stem for maintaining said spring under compression.

15. In an automatic train pipe coupling, the combination of a coupling head, a base provided with bearings, a member extending from said head through said base and provided with a projection, a spring acting upon said member to hold said projection against said base, a stem provided with a perforated head and having an integral cylindrical portion lying within said perforation, a pivot device having a seat and extending through the perforation of said stem into the bearings of said base with said cylindrical portion mounted in said seat, and means on said stem for maintaining said spring under compression.

In testimony whereof ll affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH V. ROBINSON.

Witnesses:

FRANK J. KINNEY, M. C. SHERIDAN, 

